Film Review – The Mummy (2026) by Lee Cronin

      Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, 2026.

      Written and Directed by Lee Cronin.

      Featuring Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, Shylo Molina, Billie Roy, Veronica Falcón, Hayat Kamille, May Elghety, Emily Mitchell, Lily Sullivan.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The young daughter of a journalist goes missing in the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the devastated family is stunned when she is returned to them, transforming what should be a joyous reunion into a living horror.

      Confident yet imperfect, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy marks the writer/director's evolution from his work on Sam Raimi’s renowned franchise (Evil Dead Rise) to a daring new interpretation, as he appears to aim for the title of successor to the famed horror director. However, the film's ambitious narrative regarding mummification—drawing inspiration from both the Deadites and The Exorcist—often hinders its momentum and pacing. This inconsistency resolves itself in a thrilling third act filled with manic excitement, bolstered by a dedication to practical effects and impressive makeup, enhanced by inventive brutality that obstructs a family and a missing persons investigator from confronting the escalating sinister behavior.

      Characters are not only trying to survive but also momentarily alleviate gruesome injuries in thrilling, grotesque ways, enabling them to fight back. This includes a particularly striking scene involving a finger and a specific part of the human body, which showcases the ingenuity of those battling for their lives. Despite the film's pacing issues, the eventual rewards overshadow any shortcomings.

      Part of the setup features Jack Reynor’s TV reporter character, Charlie Cannon, based in Egypt with his daughter Katie (Emily Mitchell), son Sebastian (Shylo Molina), and pregnant wife Larissa (Laia Costa). Following an eight-year lapse after their daughter's disappearance, the family relocates to New York, only for her to be found inexplicably within a mysterious sarcophagus that accompanied the plane carrying it.

      While the premise is intriguing, the introduction of Katie (now portrayed by newcomer Natalie Grace, who excels in her unsettling physical performance) brings a disturbing atmosphere as she returns to her family, which now includes her eight-year-old sister Maud (Billie Roy). Katie appears mostly catatonic, covered in scratches and marks. She looks disordered, indicative of her captivity, and her brief attempted cleaning often devolves into more stomach-churning body horror. Additionally, Katie exhibits violent outbursts, such as headbutting Grandma Carmen (Veronica Falcón) when she mentions God. Predictably, the other family members also face terror.

      Detective Dalia Zaki (May Calamawy), who initially could not locate Katie when she vanished, reenters the narrative once Katie is found to further investigate in Cairo. However, Dalia's role is minimal; the film often cuts to her finding information that ultimately reveals little more than that the girl was mummified. Despite this, the ensuing horror resonates more with the stylistic elements of The Exorcist, drawing on familiar tropes yet enhanced by a dark humor that occasionally feels comedic. The curiosity lies in the how and why, presenting some inventive reasoning as it fuses multiple genres of supernatural horror.

      Dalia’s late superior had a poor record of locating missing people, which drives her motivation to improve, although this aspect isn't deeply explored here. Instead, she spends considerable time uncovering information that pertains to the family. It feels as though Lee Cronin may have been overly ambitious or too eager to blend grotesque body horror and a family drama with a detective story into a cohesive structure.

      The film proves more emotionally captivating when centered on the family dynamics, whether it’s Charlie’s guilt and desperate quest for answers or Larissa’s misguided belief that they can care for their daughter until she returns to normal. Notably, Charlie also participates in the investigation, uncovering ancient writing on Katie's bandages. Furthermore, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy doesn’t seem overly preoccupied with deep thematic exploration or emotional depth. While undeniably lengthy and ambitious, when the filmmaker embraces his strengths—emulating Sam Raimi in a challenging endeavor—the result is a genuinely delightful experience.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder